Home/Beyond Mexico: How Guatemala Celebrates the Day of the Dead
Beyond Mexico: How Guatemala Celebrates the Day of the Dead
Discover how Guatemala’s Día de los Muertos blends Mayan spirituality, family traditions, and giant kites soaring across the sky — a celebration unlike anywhere else in the world.
If you think the Day of the Dead is only a Mexican thing, think again.
In Guatemala, Día de los Muertos is just as colorful — but deeply rooted in Mayan beliefs and family connection. Here, it’s less about sugar skulls and face paint, and more about food, flying kites, and honoring ancestors through joy rather than grief.
I’m Rebecca Moy, a 27-year-old traveler from England who spent six weeks living in Santa Cruz La Laguna on Lake Atitlán, volunteering with Kayak Guatemala: an unforgettable part of my three years (and counting) traveling full-time.
During my time in Guatemala, I learned how the Day of the Dead isn’t just a date on the calendar — it’s a heartfelt expression of how Guatemalans view life, death, and connection. In this blog, I’ll share how Guatemala celebrates Día de los Muertos, the unique local traditions you can experience around Lake Atitlán, and practical tips to make the most of it.
Key Takeaways
Guatemala’s Day of the Dead combines Mayan and Catholic traditions, celebrated on November 1st and 2nd.
The most famous events are the Giant Kite Festivals in Sumpango and Santiago Sacatepéquez.
Families gather in cemeteries to share food, stories, and a special dish called fiambre.
You can experience authentic celebrations around Lake Atitlán — from markets to shaman ceremonies.
What Is Día de los Muertos in Guatemala?
While most people associate the Day of the Dead with Mexico, Guatemala celebrates its own version steeped in centuries-old Mayan customs and Catholic influence.
The holiday spans two days:
November 1st – All Saints’ Day (Día de Todos los Santos): A day to honour saints and the departed who lived virtuous lives.
November 2nd – All Souls’ Day (Día de los Fieles Difuntos): A time to remember all loved ones who have passed.
In Guatemala, death isn’t seen as an end but as a continuation — a transition to another world. The living and the dead remain connected, and Día de los Muertos is when that connection feels most alive.
Instead of mourning, Guatemalans celebrate with colour, music, and community. Cemeteries become gathering places filled with flowers, food, laughter, and even marimba music. The atmosphere is one of joy and remembrance rather than grief.
The Giant Kite Festivals of Sumpango & Santiago Sacatepéquez
If there’s one tradition that captures the soul of the Day of the Dead in Guatemala, it’s the barriletes gigantes — the giant kites that soar over cemeteries in Sumpango and Santiago Sacatepéquez.
Each year on November 1st, locals spend months crafting massive kites — some over 20 meters wide — from bamboo, tissue paper, and fabric. Every design tells a story: some honor ancestors, others carry messages of peace or environmental awareness.
When the kites take flight, they’re believed to carry messages to the spirit world, connecting families with loved ones who have passed on.
The atmosphere is electric — thousands gather on the grassy hillsides, children run with smaller kites, and the sky fills with a patchwork of color and sound.
Traveler tips for Giant Kite Festivals:
Arrive early (before 9am) to avoid crowds and get a good view.
Bring sun protection, snacks, and cash for local food stalls.
Expect the journey from Antigua to take about an hour by bus or shuttle.
Respect the space — this is both a festival and a sacred occasion.
It’s one of the most visually striking celebrations in Central America and a truly unforgettable experience for anyone visiting in late October or early November.
Cemeteries, Fiambre, and Family Gatherings: The Heart of the Celebration
Beyond the spectacle of the kites, the heart of Día de los Muertos in Guatemala lies in the cemeteries — where families gather to share food, decorate graves, and spend the day together.
It’s common to see freshly painted tombs, families picnicking beside them, and children flying small kites between rows of bright marigolds. The air is filled with music, conversation, and the smell of traditional dishes like fiambre and ayote en miel (candied pumpkin).
Fiambre is a culinary marvel — a cold salad that can include over 40 ingredients, from meats and cheeses to vegetables, eggs, olives, and beets. Every family’s recipe is unique, passed down through generations, and prepared only once a year.
Did you know?
Fiambre takes two to three days to prepare, and some families start gathering ingredients a week in advance. It’s not just a meal — it’s a family project that symbolises unity, love, and remembrance.
This day isn’t sombre; it’s a family reunion with ancestors as the honoured guests.
5 Fun Facts About Día de los Muertos in Guatemala
The giant kites can reach the height of a five-story building.
Some are so large they never leave the ground — they’re symbolic messengers rather than actual flyers.
Every fiambre recipe is different.
Some are vegetarian (fiambre verde), others include cured meats and seafood (fiambre rojo).
Cemeteries become community gathering spots.
It’s normal to hear laughter, music, and chatter all day long — mourning is replaced by celebration.
The festival blends Mayan and Catholic beliefs.
The Mayan worldview of life and death merges beautifully with Catholic traditions of All Saints’ Day.
You don’t need to go far to experience it.
Around Lake Atitlán, local villages host their own smaller, heartfelt celebrations.
How the Maya Influence the Celebration Today
The Mayan influence on Guatemala’s Day of the Dead runs deep.
Ancient Maya believed that life, death, and nature were all interconnected — part of a continuous cycle. Ceremonies involving fire, corn, and incense were (and still are) ways to honor these connections.
Today, you’ll still find shamanic ceremonies across Guatemala that draw from these ancient beliefs. They often include prayers to the four cardinal directions, offerings to ancestors, and gratitude to Mother Earth.
If you’re visiting Lake Atitlán, you can even join a traditional shaman ceremony with Kayak Guatemala. These experiences aren’t performances — they’re authentic spiritual practices led by Mayan guides who share their wisdom and connection to the land. It’s a humbling, grounding experience that gives real context to how Guatemalans understand life and death.
Around Lake Atitlán: Local Traditions You Can Experience
While the Giant Kite Festivals draw crowds near Antigua, the villages around Lake Atitlán offer a quieter, more intimate version of the celebration.
In towns like Santiago Atitlán, San Juan La Laguna, and San Antonio Palopó, families decorate graves with flowers and candles, fly handmade kites, and prepare fiambre for communal meals.
The markets burst with life — stalls selling colorful flowers, sweet breads, and woven crafts. Locals in traditional dress move between church, market, and cemetery, turning the day into a cycle of remembrance and celebration.
Kayak Guatemala’s cultural tours can guide you through these moments respectfully — giving you an insider’s glimpse into how local families honor their ancestors. Whether you’re exploring by kayak, walking through the villages, or joining a ceremony, these experiences let you feel part of something real.
Other Cultural Celebrations in Guatemala You’ll Love
If you fall in love with Guatemala’s energy during Día de los Muertos, you’ll be glad to know the country celebrates culture all year long.
Here are a few other must-see traditions:
Semana Santa in Antigua: One of the most famous Holy Week celebrations in the world. The city’s cobblestone streets are carpeted with colorful sawdust designs (alfombras) and filled with solemn processions.
Feria de Santiago Atitlán: A lively local fair celebrating the town’s patron saint with parades, dancing, and fireworks.
Shaman ceremonies year-round: The Mayan fire ceremony is an ancient tradition still important for indigenous communities today. Inside the sacred caves of Lake Atitlan - an already magical setting - Mayan shamans speak to spirits and ask for help from divinity, mother nature, and ancestors. Candles, flowers, and incense are all burned in the fire as a "gift" to the Gods. Experience a Mayan fire ceremony with Kayak Guatemala.
If you’re drawn to culture, color, and authenticity, Guatemala has endless ways to experience it — long after the kites have fallen back to earth.
Travel Tips for Experiencing Día de los Muertos in Guatemala
If you’re planning to experience the Day of the Dead in Guatemala, here are a few tips to make your trip smoother:
When to go:
Arrive a few days before November 1st, especially if you want to visit the kite festivals or local markets.
Where to base yourself:
Antigua: Ideal for the Giant Kite Festivals.
Lake Atitlán: Perfect for smaller, local celebrations and cultural tours.
Transport tips:
Book your shuttles or buses early — locals and tourists travel heavily during this weekend. Depart early in the morning to avoid traffic.
Etiquette:
Always ask before photographing people or private graves.
Be respectful — this is a family holiday, not a tourist performance.
Support local vendors by buying food or crafts directly from families.
More than anything, Día de los Muertos in Guatemala is a celebration of love — for family, for tradition, and for the belief that no one is ever truly gone.
From the giant kites drifting into the clouds to the quiet candlelight in a lakeside cemetery, every moment reflects Guatemala’s deep spiritual connection between the living and the dead.
If you’re visiting Lake Atitlán during this time, our team at Kayak Guatemala can help you experience it through local eyes — whether that’s by joining a village tour, a shaman ceremony, or simply paddling out on the lake as the sun sets behind the volcanoes.
Because in Guatemala, the Day of the Dead isn’t about death at all — it’s about remembering, celebrating, and staying connected.
